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Omphalodes spp.
navelwort
Europe and western Asia — {O. cappadocica} from Turkey (Cappadocia); {O. verna} from southern Europe (Alps, Apennines, Balkans); moist deciduous woodlands and shaded rocky slopes
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At a Glance
TypePerennial
HabitSpreading
FoliageSemi-evergreen
Height4-12 inches (10-30 cm)
Width12-18 inches (30-45 cm)
Maturity2 years
Overview
Omphalodes spp. spp. is navelwort (blue-eyed Mary), a low spreading semi-evergreen perennial growing 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) tall and 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) wide. Blue 5-petaled flowers 0.3-0.5 inch (8-13 mm) with a white eye in loose terminal sprays in March-May (5 weeks). Dark green ovate to heart-shaped leaves 2-4 inches (5-10 cm). In Boraginaceae spp.. Omphalodes = navel-like (the nutlet fruit shape). Resembles forget-me-not (Myosotis spp.) but with larger flowers. Two main garden species: O. cappadocica (Turkey — clumping to slowly spreading, 6-12 inches / 15-30 cm) and O. verna (southern Europe — spreads more aggressively by stolons, 4-8 inches / 10-20 cm). Not drought-tolerant — requires consistently moist shade. This moisture requirement is the primary cultural limitation. Leaf scorch and dieback in dry conditions or full sun. Shear in midsummer if foliage becomes tattered. Semi-evergreen in mild winters. Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 5-8. Part shade to full shade. Growth rate is moderate.
Native Range
Native to Europe and western Asia — O. cappadocica from Turkey (Cappadocia); O. verna from southern Europe (Alps, Apennines, Balkans). Found in moist deciduous woodlands and shaded rocky slopes.Suggested Uses
Grown as a shade ground cover, in woodland gardens, and in containers of at least 2 gallons (7.5 L), spaced 12-18 inches (30-45 cm). Blue spring flowers. Moist shade. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 5-8.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Early to mid spring (March-May). Blue 5-petaled flowers 0.3-0.5 inch (8-13 mm) with white eye in loose terminal sprays. 5 weeks. Bee-visited.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Blue with a white eye, 0.3-0.5 inch (8-13 mm), 5-petaled, in loose terminal sprays above the foliage; resembles forget-me-not (Myosotis spp.) but with larger flowersFoliage Description
Dark green, simple, ovate to heart-shaped, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm), with a slightly rough texture; semi-evergreen — retains foliage in mild wintersGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-5 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Part shade to full shade (2-5 hours). Moist humus-rich soil pH 5.5-7.0. Not drought-tolerant — leaf scorch in dry or sunny conditions. Shear in midsummer if foliage tatters. O. verna spreads by stolons. Semi-evergreen. Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 5-8.Pruning
Shear the entire plant back in midsummer (July) if foliage becomes tattered — fresh foliage follows. Remove stoloniferous runners of O. verna to control spread.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Maintenance Level
lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons